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GRADUATE PROGRAM

Master of Health Administration

36 total credits | average 2 years to complete

10
MAY
Start Date
Format
Online
Tuition
$43,812
Courses
12 courses
Term

Summer 2024

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Lead Your Organization Through Transformative Change

 

Healthcare is one of the fastest changing sectors in the world. Now is the time to develop the skills to step into a leadership position and guide your organization through an ever-changing landscape. Working in administration, you have the ability to improve the overall quality and care of any healthcare organization. 

In Wake Forest University’s Master in Health Administration (MHA) online program, our partnership with Atrium Health allows learning to go beyond the classroom. Graduate students have a unique experiential learning opportunity focusing on patient-centered research and innovation.   

Career Prospects and Outcomes

In healthcare, opportunities continue to grow as the industry does: 

  • U.S. national healthcare expenditure is estimated to reach $6.2 trillion by 2028.
  • The projected growth rate for healthcare administration is 32% from 2020 to 2030.

You’ve already established yourself in healthcare, but an MHA degree will expand your career path, increase your earning potential, and help you become an innovative leader. Start today!  

$6.2

trillion

The estimated U.S. national healthcare expenditure by 2028.
32%

projected growth rate

for healthcare administration is 32% from 2020 to 2030.

The People Behind the Program

To accelerate your career growth, reach your professional goals, and expand your network, we created a Programmatic Advisory Board (PAB) to bring knowledge from experts in the field into the classroom. These board members are committed to your academic excellence and keeping Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies graduates industry-competitive and globally impactful.

Core Courses

There are 11 required online courses, including a capstone. Additionally, students will take 1 elective of their choosing. All courses are 7.5 weeks long. 

There is no prescribed order for the courses, you may take them in the order that works for you when your selection is available.

  • Principles of Health System Management

    Learn about the foundational concepts and challenges of health systems management. This course examines the standards, trends, structure, and functions of healthcare communities and facilities. In addition, it explores operational leadership within the healthcare setting.

  • Population Health & the American Healthcare System

    This course provides a thorough overview of healthcare delivery in the United States and Population Health. Learners will discuss the importance of healthcare and health information quality and the need for health equity and patient safety in healthcare systems, and analyze the impact of social, behavioral, cultural, economic, and environmental factors on healthcare systems and practices. The course will cover ways to create sustainable change through improved management, policy, and financial support in healthcare, including relevant governmental, ethical, regulatory, and compliance issues in the context of healthcare plans and payment models.

  • Human Resources Management and Organizational Development

    Learn more about the design and implementation of effective human resource policies and procedures. This course emphasizes gaining the knowledge, leadership skills, and tools to successfully undertake organization change.

  • Financial Management for Today’s Leaders

    Leading effectively in today’s complex economy requires a confident understanding of the numbers side of the business.

  • Health Information Management Systems

    Explore information technology aspects of health information management. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to various principles, tools, and concepts involved in service provision.

  • Healthcare Policy, Law, and Ethics

    Take an in-depth look at healthcare compliance programs and laws ranging from the basics of compliance to specific issues facing the industry. In the compliance portion of this course, the focus is on the seven elements of an effective compliance program. The legal portion covers selected laws impacting compliance, including HIPAA, the Stark Law, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the federal False Claims Act.

  • Quality and Patient Safety Management in Healthcare

    This course covers the foundations for understanding and pursuing patient safety and quality of care outcomes within the current healthcare environment. Thoughtful consideration is given on how quality and safety from a global perspective can critically impact expectations within today’s healthcare environment.

  • Strategic Planning and Decision Making for Healthcare Leaders

    Examine the principles, process, and applications of strategic management. This course covers methods for assessing key features of organization environments and competitive situations, approaches to demand management, and processes for ensuring successful strategy implementation.

  • Healthcare Leadership and Impact

    This course will explore leadership, organizational structure, and effective team functioning in healthcare. It will provide students with an understanding of the importance of developing high-quality relationships, the impact of motivation, power, and influence, principles of organizational ethics, and health equity. To gain an understanding of how leadership principles and best practices impact the ability to manage a successful healthcare organization, project, or strategic imperative, learners will apply theories and best practices of leadership, analyze data and information to effectively implement change, recognize how unconscious biases can affect leadership and decision-making, and explore best practices for organizational and strategic leadership.

  • Strategic Communications

    Internal and external stakeholders expect greater transparency and responsiveness from organizational leaders today. This course emphasizes the practice of internal and external strategic communications through the analysis of case studies. This course examines real organizational challenges and students work to identify solutions.

  • Capstone in Health Administration

    Thread together what you have learned throughout the program in a culminating capstone experience. This course allows learners to demonstrate knowledge and competencies of health administration through shadowing or internship. Students must complete a certain number of shadowing/internship hours of leaders in healthcare to help them transfer theory into practice.

    • Electives

    Students in the Master’s of Healthcare Administration program will choose 1 elective.

    Electives can be taken at any time during the program when your selection is available.

  • Strategic Digital Marketing

    Gain a deeper understanding of fundamental principles and best practices of digital marketing strategies (e.g., positioning, pricing, etc.) and tactics (e.g., market research-derived segmentation and targeting, packaging, channel management, etc.). This course emphasizes marketing frameworks and concepts, as well as examining cross-cultural awareness in digital marketing.

  • Decision Making & Risk Management

    Learn how to make decisions in an uncertain business environment. This course analyzes the many forms of risk in financial institutions, the drivers of risk, and techniques to mitigate risk. Learners will also gain an understanding of technology laws and regulations, including professional standards of practice, ethical conduct, privacy, and professional obligations, as well as the importance of corporate governance, social responsibility, independence, and integrity in financial decision-making.

  • Artificial Intelligence for Health Informatics

    This course will review the foundations of artificial intelligence (AI) with applications to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of diseases. Learners will differentiate various artificial intelligence concepts and enabling technologies, and discover and employ processes used in designing and implementing artificial intelligence systems to prevent bias and inequities.

    • Meet Health Administration Faculty

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    Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society

    Wake Forest School of Professional Studies is proud to be an Academic Organization Affiliate of HIMSS. All Health Informatics and Health Administration SPS students get a free membership and opportunities to attend the annual HIMSS conference.

    Paying for School

    There are several financial assistance options available for you to start this journey and see your career take off.

    Speak with one of our financial aid officers for help navigating scholarships, veteran’s assistance, FAFSA, and more.

    Learn More

    Admission Criteria

    To enroll in the Master of Health Informatics program a candidate must complete an online application, in which they will submit:  

    • A resume 
    • A bachelor’s degree transcript from an accredited college or university* 

    The interview can be complete two ways: virtually with a Student Success Manger or the interview questions can be answered and submitted electronically.

    *An unofficial transcript is acceptable for admission; an official transcript is due by the start of the first course. 

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